Summary
- Disney was initially unhappy with Robin Williams' involvement in FernGully.
- A widespread internet rumor regarding a FernGully live-action film has stirred audience interest.
- Although it owns 21st Century Fox, Disney does not hold the worldwide rights to FernGully in 2023.
In 1992, during the height of the Disney Renaissance, an independent Australian studio released FernGully: The Last Rainforest. An environmentally-conscious animated film with an all-star cast. Some of these '90s A-listers included Tim Curry, Christian Slater, and (much to Disney's chagrin at the time) Robin Williams. Although the movie itself lacked the colossal budget and standing with audiences that Disney held then and now, it still cemented a place in many a millennial's heart for years to come. Current studio head, Jeffrey Katzenberg, was even rumored to have said it was "the best non-Disney film ever" made.
When online rumors started flying in the summer of 2023 of a potential Disney-produced live-action remake of FernGully, reactions were mixed. Since Disney began mass-producing updated adaptations of its own classics in 2015, the quality had arguably diminished. So, when what appeared to be a legit movie poster surfaced for a live-action FernGully with Disney's name as producer, nostalgic fans were excited but also cautious. Regardless, even if the reports aren't true, the poster has reintroduced the animated treasure into the cultural zeitgeist.
Disney Had Issues With FernGully When It Was First Produced
When FernGully first came out in the early 1990s, Disney was a high-performing animation powerhouse. The studio was recovering from years of failed endeavors in the '70s and '80s, like The Black Cauldron or movies that, while charming, didn't quite reach the same level of artistic prowess as those produced when Walt Disney was alive, like The Aristocats. Disney had just come off the success of Beauty and the Beast (1991) which earned the first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for an animated film, a category that has since gone on to become an entirely separate one of its own. The company was also in the process of producing its 31st animated film, Aladdin, in which Williams famously voiced the now iconic Genie.
When Disney got wind that Williams would also be performing as the voice of a former lab bat (Batty) in FernGully, the studio pushed back. The film's director, Bill Kroyer, stated that Katzenberg was the driving force for all the aggravation Disney caused for FernGully. The feud even went as far as to have the two animation companies vying over rented facilities. In the end, it became glaringly obvious that Disney was upset about Williams lending his voice to an outside project while also working on Aladdin. However, the company's hands were tied since Williams signed on to voice Batty first. Williams was flabbergasted, stating: "Who does he [Katzenberg] think he is? It's my voice!" Disney and Williams famously had a rather public fallout after the release of Aladdin. Williams had originally agreed to voice Genie as long as he would not be used as the main selling point of the film. Disney ignored his wishes and went on to launch a campaign that featured Genie at center stage. As a result, Williams did not voice the titular character in the sequel Aladdin: The Return of Jafar or Aladdin: The Series. The Simpsons veteran Dan Castellaneta stepped into the role in the interim. Williams eventually returned for the third installment, Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
Disney Live-Action Adaptations Might Serve as a Catalyst for FernGully
Not too many other animation companies have the catalog or tradition that Disney does. So, it's not common to see anyone other than Disney creating new adaptations of its own intellectual property in this exact way, which is why it was such a huge deal when, in June 2023, a movie poster emerged online for a live-action FernGully. The poster showed the main character, Crysta (a fairy who lives in the rainforest), against a background of lush foliage. The Disney name loomed over the film's title and boasted a release date of Christmas 2024.
Many FernGully enthusiasts took the poster at face value, and excitement started building for the potential release. Later the same month, however, Snopes debunked the myth, stating that there was no clear evidence to back up the obviously forged imagery. As of now, Disney only has an undisclosed film slated for release in winter 2024. In the same vein, none of the actors listed on the poster have publicly said about being involved in a project of this nature. Snopes also confirmed with some of the actors' publicists that rumors of their client's involvement were false.
Contrary to Popular Stipulation, Disney Does Not Own the Rights to FernGully
Some sources have predicted that if a live-action FernGully were to be made, Disney would be the one to do it. FernGully was, in fact, distributed by 20th Century Fox when it was originally released. In 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox and all of its film and television assets. But as recent as 2021, Shout! Studios was reported as having acquired the worldwide rights to FernGully. The company even planned a 30th anniversary celebration in 2022 by releasing it onto streaming. Shout!'s Senior Vice President of Family Entertainment, Melissa Boag, stated, "The message of caring for our environment is as relevant today as when the film was originally released."
Sadly, the article announcing Shout! Studios' acquisition does not include an intention to create a live-action version. Still, Disney has started a trend on which it would be easy to capitalize. If the online farce proved anything, it's that there is still a willing audience for FernGully that would likely welcome a fresh adaptation with open arms. Even though Disney might not be the one producing the film -- there seems to be every reason to potentially invest in creating a live-action version of this beloved classic.
It wouldn't hurt to see more diverse content in the movie scape either since FernGully is one of a kind. FernGully was successful enough to merit a direct-to-video sequel in 1998 (FernGully: The Magical Rescue). This was around the time in which Disney was releasing a barrage of direct-to-video sequels as well. So, it's not too far-fetched to say the holders of FernGully's rights might take a cue from Disney once again. And even though another sector of viewers has expressed burnout with recycled intellectual properties appearing in cinemas, the productions have found an audience with a newer generation. As long as there's a way to turn nostalgia into a winning formula, the studios won't be winding down anytime soon. If anything, the latest potentially AI-fueled internet rumor has planted a seed of inspiration into the heads of the moguls up top.